Our beer-loving experts share their favourite high-value picks.
Guys, life is getting expensive out there. Don’t get us wrong, though – it ain’t all doom and gloom. Sure, our old mate Costa Living keeps ratcheting up the bills and egg prices, but you can still find a top-notch beer that won’t require a dodgy same-day loan or a handout from the bank of Mum and Dad. And that’s something worth celebrating, wouldn’t you say?
In that spirit, we’ve done some digging and got the inside word from a few local drinks experts. These might not be bottom of the bargain bin, but these ales and lagers hit that perfect sweet spot of great flavour AND pricing. The brief here is value: none of us want to sacrifice flavour and enjoyment for price. And as it turns out, we don’t have to.
From national heroes to the local craft breweries doing it for the little guy, here are five good-news brews, as recommended by the names worth trusting.
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1. Furphy
Chosen by: Lara Chan-Baker, Editor, Dan’s Daily
There’s some deep Australiana locked within Furphy. The word furphy has come to mean pulling someone’s leg, but the beer itself is named for the Furphy family of Shepparton in Victoria, who historically produced stainless steel beer fermentation tanks. Plus, the retro design has a bit of the old Victorian State of Origin footy team about it, which is a nice touch. Nostalgia aside, though, Furphy is a great example of a kolsch (a German style that’s sort of an ale/lager hybrid) and it’s as crisp and easy-going as you like – as our editor Lara can attest.
"I just absolutely cannot go past a cold can of Furphy. Sure, it's simple, but that's what I like about it! This is uncomplicated, easy-drinking beer. I have a soft spot for anything Victorian, and this feels undeniably so. I keep a few of these in the fridge at all times."
2. Coopers Mild Ale
Chosen by: Ethan Blair, Drinks Specialist, Dan Murphy’s Noosaville, QLD
The only thing mild about Coopers Mild Ale is the alcohol content, which comes in at a breezy 3.5% – otherwise, the beer in the orange can is all flavour. Like its famous Sparkling Ale and Pale Ale siblings, this is cloudy (thanks to a little yeast added before canning), full flavoured and a serious bargain to boot – no wonder our mate Ethan from the Noosaville store keeps some on hand.
"When I’m looking to blow the froth off a few, but am specifically chasing a full-flavoured mid strength, the Coopers Mild Ale is my first pick every time. Still packing a big delivery of hoppy goodness, this is not your average watery, lackluster middy that's for sure. If you’re also sensitive to additives and preservatives, Coopers ferment all their beers in the can and don’t add any extras. It’s also great to support the largest Australian-owned and independent brewery around, so I’m always chuffed to throw a buck Coopers’ way."
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3. Mountain Goat Very Enjoyable Beer
Chosen by: Amelia Ball, Sub-Editor, Dan’s Daily
Each craft brewery knows that for every hopped-up IPA and black-as-coal imperial stout, it’s the easy-going lagers that keep the lights on. And it’s lucky for us, because there’s plenty to love about well-priced crisp lagers like Mountain Goat Very Enjoyable Beer – just take it from Amelia.
“I love a product that does what it says on the tin, and that’s absolutely the case with Mountain Goat’s Very Enjoyable Beer. This is a very friendly lager that’s super refreshing and easy going, but it also has enough going on to keep everyone happy, making it the ultimate beer to keep on-hand. The clincher? The price comes right down when offered on My Dan’s deals. Big fan.”
4. Stomping Ground Gipps St Pale Ale
Chosen by: Tom Horvath, Drinks Specialist, Dan Murphy’s Cheltenham, VIC
Stomping Ground named this one for its Collingwood home turf and it makes sense – the Gipps St. Pale Ale is definitely the brewery’s flagship. This one comes in a slimmed-down case of 18 but, with a potent set of tropical fruit flavours and a slightly-elevated ABV of 5.2%, it’s ticking Tom’s bargain boxes – particularly at this price.
“When it comes to quality over quantity in the world of beer, Stomping Ground Gipps St. Pale Ale is absolutely unsurpassed. This rich, flavoursome, punchy, hop-driven masterpiece is made in Collingwood, Victoria, and has been a personal favourite of mine since 2020. An absolute must-try for any lovers of a full-flavoured, proper, pale ale. Best paired with good weather, good company and one heck of a thirst!”
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Click image to shop
5. Largo Clean Lager
Chosen by: J’aime Cardillo, Editorial Content Lead, Dan’s Daily
For a band named after one of the sweetest drinks known to man, the Lime Cordiale boys have taken a surprising turn with their beer label, Largo – they’re all smooth, subtle and easy drinking. But, while the beer is certified carbon neutral, their flagship Largo Clean Lager is far from flavour neutral, with a delicate citrus note from the hops and a gentle maltiness giving it all just enough oomph. Add in a bank-benefiting case price and it’s easy to see why Clean Lager has caught J’aime’s eye.
“When it comes to beer, there's nothing I love more than easy drinking, and there's no Aussie band I love more than Lime Cordiale, which makes LARGO's Clean Lager the perfect tinnie IMO. Then there's the fact that LARGO is carbon neutral – Oli and Louis Leimbach seriously walk the walk. The Clean Lager is crisp, refreshing (has a hint of malt) and is 'Dirt Cheap'.”
